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BlogWe independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products-learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.Make Precision Angled Cuts With the Best Compound Miter Saws
Last updated: 20 Sep 2023When it comes to sawing or milling, getting the right cut is something many professionals struggle with. Most of these pieces, after being sawed, have to be placed in tight spots requiring absolute precision; tight nooks and crannies require expert sawing to ensure pieces fit. To a person unfamiliar with these tasks, this probably seems like something that can be fixed by taking accurate measurements. But, as any professional will tell you, a perfect cut requires the right equipment, it’s not something easily achievable using an average, everyday saw.
To that end, there’s a saw custom-made for this specific use, working wonders when it comes to making precise angled cuts. The top compound miter saws in 2023 offer you the ability to make exact angled cuts while saving you a lot of unnecessary effort – not to mention material cost. These saws have blades mounted on extended swing arms and can be swiveled in different directions for reaching corners that normal saws can’t.
Show contentsHere is the Top Compound Miter Saw of 2023Buying Guide: Compound Miter Saws
This complete buyers guide reviews some of the best compound miter saws available on the market. These devices come highly recommended by industry professionals and workmen alike. Compound miter saws come in different configurations with different features for different workflows. The options featured in this buying guide bring you the most amount of features at the best prices.
Reasons To Invest in a Compound Miter Saw
Compound miter saws are used to make precise and accurate cuts in any material. In most cases, these cuts need to be made at an angle – getting the angle right is something most people struggle with. To that end, compound miter saws offer you the ability to make angled cuts after carefully measuring. The easy-to-read markings on the saw make adjustments stress-free and can increase your productivity. The kinds of angles you need regularly should factor into which saw you purchase. Some different features that help people decide on a compound miter saw are discussed below.
Qualities To Look For in a Good Compound Miter Saw
Compound miter saws come in different configurations, offering different features depending on their intended use. Some of the most important considerations when it comes to these devices are mentioned directly below.
Bevel tilt direction
Most people require angled cuts at a single-sided tilt, meaning they either require a right or a left-angled cut. While the orientation of something being cut can be changed manually, for a different side cut, the better strategy is buying a saw able to make cuts in either direction. If you require angled cuts then getting a saw that can do this on its own is the ideal option. If this is something you know you don’t require, we would recommend that you get a miter saw that is equipped with a single bevel.
Extension wings
In most cases, the piece that you want to cut is too long to hold without the machine or the piece moving out of place. This is why most manufacturers add extension wings, helping the machine and the piece stay firmly in place. This is helpful in ensuring the angle you want to get is exactly what you get. It’s important that vibrations or movements from the piece don’t ruin the cut that the blade is supposed to make.
Laser pointer
Compound miter saws are high-speed devices with the main component, the blade, revving up to 5000 rpm. This can raise the chances of error by a considerable margin. Eyeing the cut is something some people are able to do, but just one wrong move or miscalculation can lead to a piece being ruined. This is why using a device that comes equipped with a laser projector is something that can really help beginners and ever-experienced professionals.
How to Care For Compound Miter Saws
Compound miter saws are durable machines that operate under intense workloads. They are able to withstand intense vibrations created by the high rpm of the miter blade. This does not mean that the machine does not require care, however. Any fine dust that gets collected in the different parts of the machine needs to be cleaned. Letting dust stay can lead to the failure of the structural integrity of the device. Moreover, keeping heavy-duty electrical devices away from liquids is something to be vigilant about. For compound miter saws to continue working as intended all safety and care instructions mentioned in the instruction manual should be followed. And, It bears mentioning you should always use goggles and heavy-duty gloves when working with such sharp and powerful equipment.
How Did We Choose Our Picks?
After careful consideration of all the great options available on the market, we narrowed our list down to the five best machines. These machines are carefully chosen after reviewing workflows, use cases, and overall user ratings and reviews. The user ratings and reviews are the deciding factors when it comes to finalizing the top picks for our buying guides. We understand and believe real-world examples, and cases of people using these machines, and rating them, is what really demonstrates how good a product actually is. We carefully went through all the ratings and reviews of the devices listed and selected the options that had the least malfunctions and actually worked as advertised.
Here is the Top Compound Miter Saw of 2023
1DEWALT Compound Miter Saw
– Best OverallThis sliding compound miter saw comes in a 12-inch size, allowing it to be used in some of the most demanding and intense work. This dedication to quality and durability earned this product our coveted “best overall” award. This model uses a special blade positioning system, aiding in the cutting procedure and using line indication for accurate cutting. The saw also comes with a special LED light, projecting markings on a piece that needs to be cut, and marking out the position of the blade on either side. The product uses a state-of-the-art dust collection system capable of collecting 75% of fine dust created. This model also uses an oversized bevel scale, allowing for more uniform and accurate adjustments. Coming in at a total of 58 lbs, this saw is not only lightweight but also extremely easy to maneuver and transport.
Pros- Uses 60 degrees right and 50 degree left miters
- Comes with a cam lock miter handle with a detent override
- Sliding fence support with 7.5-inch crown molding and 6.75 base molding support
Cons- Requires you to put in lithium-ion batteries (it comes with power cord support)
2Metabo Compound Miter Saw
– Elite DesignThis single compound miter saw comes with a 15 amp motor and has a miter angle of about 52 degrees. It revs up to a very decent 5000 rpm, making even the most difficult of cuts something you won’t need to worry about. With a max weight of 24 lbs and a bevel angle of about 45 degrees to the left, the Metabo miter saw is easy to carry, transport, and install. It has a blade length of 10 inches with 60 teeth, making it easy to cut larger surfaces. The saw uses a power cord to operate, making it deliver the same power at all times, even under different loads. For accurate miter adjustment, the saw uses thumb-actuated stops, making the adjustment process fairly simple and hassle-free.
Pros- Weighs in at a decent 24 lbs
- Comes equipped with a 10-inch blade with 60 teeth
- Rotates the blade at 5000 rpm
Cons- Does not have vertical fence support
3SKIL Compound Miter Saw
– Great for Heavy UseThe SKIL compound miter saw comes with a quick-mount feature, allowing it to be installed anywhere with relative ease. The single-sided miter blade is 12 inches, making it really useful for larger workloads. And, this saw uses a laser cutting line, providing more precise and accurate cuts. The motor in this saw is rated at 15 amps and can rev the blade up to 4500 rpm, making it fast and clean when sawing. It employs 9 positive stops for easy miter angle adjustment and comes with table extensions on both the left and right sides, great for larger workpieces.
Pros- The blade can rev up to 4500 rpm
- Comes with a quick-mount system
- Equipped with laser cutting guide
Cons- Single-sided compound miter saw
4Hitachi Compound Miter Saw
– Compact and PortableThe Hitachi single bevel compound miter saw comes equipped with a 10-inch blade, helping you cut some of the more difficult kinds of workpieces. It comes with a 52-degree miter angle adjustment feature, allowing you to cut at different angles with no issue. With a 45-degree bevel angle and thumb adjustable positive stops for angle adjustment, this device brings you the ease of use, helping speed up your workflow a considerable amount. Armed with a 15 amp motor spinning the blade at speeds reaching 5000 rpm, this machine weighs in at a very decent 24.2 lbs – making it easy to carry, transport, and mount. This device connects to a power outlet and does not require batteries.
Pros- Adjustable miter angle to both the left and right side
- Lightweight at 24 lbs
- Has a 45-degree bevel angle adjustment
Cons- Single bevel compound miter saw
5Genesis Compound Miter Saw
– Ideal for AccuracyThe Genesis compound miter saw comes equipped with a 10-inch carbide blade. The blade has 60 teeth, combined with the carbide construction, which makes it extremely easy to cut all the way through any type of material. This product allows you to make 45-degree angled cuts to the left while also providing you with the precision of laser projected markings on the cutting surface. There is an electric brake, stopping the blade in mere seconds in case of emergency. This saw also uses an Arbor lock for quick blade changing when needed. The package is shipped with two extension wings, a blade wrench, and two AAA batteries for use with the laser light.
Pros- Laser equipped for greater accuracy
- Arbor lock for blade changing
- Batteries, wings, and wrench included in the package
Cons- Single bevel compound miter saw
People Also Asked
Q: How do I measure the angle on my compound miter saw?A: Compound miter saws come equipped with markings on the lower half of the machine. Swinging the bevel in the required direction, while eyeing how much of an angle has been created between the resting position and the current position, is how you can measure the angle of the miter blade.
Q: Do I need to lubricate my compound miter saw?A: The fine dust created by constantly grinding and cutting things with the saw can lead to a buildup in the rails of the sliding mechanism. This can make it difficult to slide the saw; we recommend lubricating the rails of the sliding mechanism anytime you feel it jamming or taking more force to slide.
Q: How much do compound miter saws add to utility bills?A: Compound miter saws use anywhere between 1500 to 2200 watts of power. This, despite being a substantial number, does not add a huge increase to a utility bill. This is because these devices run for brief amounts of time, using a relatively low amount of total electricity.
The Pop Wood Review Team’s product reviews and comprehensive guides are here to help you select the best gear and tools to efficiently complete top-quality woodworking projects. The content is created by The Pop Wood Review Team. Popular Woodworking’s editorial staff is not involved. Popular Woodworking is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Questions about product testing or a specific articles should be sent to aimperiapt@gmail.com